The hologram of Enki flickered to life, casting an ethereal glow in the dimly lit temple. His voice resonated with authority and wisdom as he said, "I don't know the reason for this, but certainly Enki did not create the system for punishment. The system is designed to help the Earthborn who have managed to awaken their inner nature. The reward that has been considered is also to provide motivation to continue their mission. By acquiring mana, their level increases, and they become stronger."
Gail stood in the center of the ancient temple, its towering pillars adorned with intricate carvings that depicted the epic history of the Earthborn and the celestial beings. The air was thick with the scent of old stone and the faint glow of luminescent crystals embedded in the walls. The weight of the revelation pressed down on him like an invisible burden. He was still stunned, grappling with the reality that he was not human but a creation of Enki. His mind struggled to process this new identity, the implications of which felt overwhelming.
His thoughts swirled with confusion and uncertainty, like a storm raging within him. He had always believed himself to be just another being in the vast universe, but now he knew he was something more—something different. Originally designed as workers, his race was now being called upon by their creator to save the Earthborn from the oppression of the Anunnaki. This mission, bestowed upon him, felt both an honor and a curse.
Gail's eyes drifted to the ancient symbols etched into the floor beneath his feet, symbols that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. He could feel the history of his people resonating through the stone, a history he was only beginning to understand. The realization that his existence had a purpose beyond mere survival was both exhilarating and terrifying.
With his mind full of questions, Gail finally spoke, his voice echoing softly through the vast chamber. "So what was the reason for the challenges to reach the temple? I almost got killed by the soul-killing serpent. Zephyr, my loyal dog, saved my life. The system announced that no human could survive that monster."
As he mentioned Zephyr, memories of the perilous journey flooded back. He recalled the serpent's sinister eyes, gleaming with malevolence, and its scales that shimmered like deadly jewels in the dim light. The battle had been fierce, and Zephyr, his loyal companion, had bravely intervened, saving him from certain death. The bond he shared with Zephyr was profound, a connection that transcended species, built on trust and mutual survival.
The hologram of Enki flickered slightly, casting an ethereal light that danced on the ancient walls. The figure's eyes, though a mere projection, seemed to bore into Gail's mind, understanding his turmoil. Enki's voice, though calm, carried the weight of ages and the wisdom of a creator.
"The challenges," Enki began, "are there so that a truly worthy individual reaches this place. This temple holds many secrets and is where Enki created the Earthborn. But the final challenge, the soul-killing serpent, was put in place so that humans could not reach the temple. The system explained it precisely, and now you know that you are not human, and you survived the serpent."
Gail's heart pounded in his chest as he absorbed the explanation. The trials he had faced were not just random obstacles but carefully designed tests to determine his worthiness. The revelation that he had passed where humans could not fill him with a mixture of pride and sorrow. Pride for his accomplishment and sorrow for the realization that he was fundamentally different from the humans he had once considered his kin.
"Oh, you're right..." Gail murmured, the truth settling over him like a heavy cloak. "I should have been smarter to realize this. The serpent kills humans, and I am an Earthborn."
Despite the growing understanding, a sense of alienation gnawed at him. He was reminded once again that he was not human and belonged to another race, a realization that left him feeling disoriented and uneasy. However, he knew he had to move forward, his existence now tied to much larger goals. The future of the Earthborn and the fate of humanity rested on his shoulders, a responsibility that felt both daunting and inescapable.
Gail, feeling a twinge of envy for humans, asked, "What is the difference between us Earthborn and humans, and why doesn't Enki want humans to reach the temple? Why didn't he assign his mission to a human?"
The hologram of Enki's visage grew somber as he explained, "Because we have realized that many humans cannot be trusted. You have told how they sacrificed their children to those they call gods. Only a few humans, like Uta, can be trusted. Humans are very ambitious and unpredictable. Some humans are willing to do anything to gain power. But Earthborn, because they were created to be obedient and for hard labor, usually did not have such characteristics. Until our war with the serpentine race intensified and the Anunnaki congress decided to bring humans back into forced labor alongside the Earthborn. Many Earthborns were also influenced by human rebellions. But still, the beings we have created ourselves are more trustworthy for us. Recently, the Anunnaki have formed a secret group called 'Illumination.' Because the Anunnaki are engaged in war and often cannot directly control the earth, they have gathered power-hungry humans who are willing to do anything for this group. They have been asked to, with the help of the Anunnaki, each take control of a part of the earth and be the Anunnaki's representatives on earth. This way, the Anunnaki have formed a power through this group that controls the earth indirectly. The method of Anunnaki slavery is changing. In fact, their goal is to, in the future, have all humans and Earthborns under the control of a government controlled by this group. Probably the future you come from is controlled by this group. A group that named itself 'Illumination' because they saw the Anunnaki as luminous beings in their dreams. This is the reason why you are here now!"
Gail felt his brain teetering on the edge of overload under the pressure of the information. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "For what reason?" he asked.
The hologram replied, "We didn't think it would take this long for a worthy individual to find the temple through the system. But you come from a future close to thousands of years. This means that for all these years, the Anunnaki and Illumination are going to control the earth and its inhabitants. But now we have you, who have managed to return to the past. An opportunity has been provided to confront them from now on, to change history, and to witness freedom in the future. Together, we can unite to fight the race of serpents and eventually live in peace."
Gail's mind buzzed with a thousand questions, but one stood out. "So how did Enki manage to come into my dream while I was living thousands of years later?"
The hologram of Enki responded, "With the knowledge that the Anunnaki have achieved, we can live for thousands of years. Part of this knowledge has been made available to Uta, and maybe one day you can also benefit from it. But know that a long life is not such a great blessing."
Enki paused, his holographic form flickering slightly before continuing, "I know you still have many questions, but it is getting late. You better continue your mission. You must return to the chief of the tribe. There is much work to be done. In the future, we will find a way to communicate with you. Maybe one day you can even see Enki in person."
With these final words, the hologram of Enki began to fade, leaving Gail standing alone in the temple, the weight of his destiny pressing down on him like never before.